Back to Savannah, Pt. 6

Apologies to those who are sick of my Savannah posts…but they're still coming to you with at least one more to go. A new discovery on this trip was the Collins Quarter Cafe & Bar.



Located on Bull Street, it has great views and was swarming with guests each time I frequented it.



Their caffeinated beverages are works of art.



And the french toast did nothing for my waistline.



I learned about Collins through my friend Scott, who is a waiter/bartender extraordinaire at another favorite Savannah eatery, The Grey.



After brunch, we had to walk off the calories, and what better place to do so than the Savannah Historic District.



The Independent Presbyterian Church's spire looms over Bull Street.





The mod look of the Drayton Towers on Liberty Street somehow fits into the landscape.



Chippewa Square is famous for being where "Forrest Gump" sat on a bench and recounted his life story.





A pedal cab driver takes a well-deserved break.



One last photo of Scott before we parted ways and I continued my photo journey.



The Independent Presbyterian Church (that's a mouthful!) at night:





And a few other buildings from Chippewa Square at night:





More Savannah photos at my main website.

Main Street, U.S.A.: A Mirror of America

I love Main Street, U.S.A.; not just the one at Disneyland, but the historic Main Streets that have survived and continue to thrive across our nation. These streets were once the heart of every community, functioning as the center of commerce, entertainment, and social interaction.



Big cities let "squares" or "circles" serve the same function as a Main Street by providing a central meeting space for the community...just on a larger scale.



By the 1970's, Main Streets everywhere were in trouble. Architecture that many now deem historic was viewed as old and antiquated. Façades were covered over in an attempt to make businesses look more modern. Some Main Streets were ruined when freeways were built nearby, diverting people away from these quaint little towns that had once thrived.



Shopping was siphoned off to super malls that promised the purchasing experience of a lifetime, with large brand-name chains that easily squashed the local merchants.



And then a miracle happened. As the saying goes, everything old is new again. People got tired of the generic mall experience. They longed for the intimacy and unique nature of a real Main Street. Historical Preservation Organizations were formed, hideous façades were removed, and vintage exteriors were restored to their former glory.



And they lived happily ever after? Well, not quite. Things change for a reason. Something about Main Street stopped resonating with the public which is why they failed in the first place.



While Main Streets have been restored all over America and now resemble what they looked like when they were first built, they have had to adapt with the times in order to avoid becoming ghost towns again.



The days of the local grocery/mercantile concept are gone. Social hubs of the community are now served by the local coffee house, which brings a vibrancy to Main Street that was once served by the General Store.



Today's Main Streets still have intimate restaurants that use the name "Cafe," but instead of serving basic All-American fare, they use farm-to-table ingredients and put new spins on old classic dishes. This is what they have to do to make themselves unique, giving locals and tourists a reason to eat there...again...and again.



Movie houses were integral to every community, but the smaller (yet more architecturally interesting) buildings that once entertained small communities could never compete with today's multiplexes. Adaptive re-use allows these former movie houses to breathe once again as venues for musical acts and live theater.



Main Streets have also seen a change in the way they do business. Local Mom-And-Pop-style stores co-exist next to the larger chains, allowing each to be successful.



It's important to look at what was right and what was wrong about something in order to make a good decision about rebuilding it. Attempting to keep something the same for posterity is not necessarily a recipe for success.



Come back tomorrow as I examine Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A.



See more vintage & current Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos on my Main Street web pages.

Savannah Rock 'N Roll Excursion, Pt. 4

Another early a.m. in Savannah with my camera, spent mainly in Forsyth Park. What a beautiful way to start the day; huge old trees, pedestrian friendly paths, a welcoming fountain, and historic statues.







I had a few destinations for the day that weren't really within walking distance, so The Perry Rubber Bike Shop was the perfect place to rent bikes to get to where I needed to go.





AND they had a cool historic tile floor to marvel over while the paperwork was getting done!



First stop: Laurel Grove Cemetery. I'd been wanting to visit for the last few years, but because it's on the outskirts of town, had never quite made it.





This face is so haunting.







James Pierpont, the composer of "Jingle Bells" is one of the more distinguished residents of Laurel Grove.



Took a break for lunch and ventured back to Clary's.



An olive burger hit the spot and I was ready for more biking!



Drove the bike out to Bonaventure Cemetery, which is one of my favorite spots in Savannah. That may sound creepy because it's where the dead "live," but if you've ever been there, you'll know what I'm talking about.



Nothing like a little Faux-D© to make you feel like you are there:



The beautiful oak trees, the graceful Spanish Moss, the statuary...



absolutely gorgeous. The cobweb was the perfect bonus to this shot. It was as if the statue was sleeping, waiting to be awakened.



The blank eyes are like something out of the Twilight Zone.



The little cherubs are a reminder that infant death was an all too real (and often) occurrence back in the day.



One of the most touching graves/statues is that of Little Gracie, the beloved daughter of a local hotel manager. She is also one of the most popular spots in Bonaventure, earning signage that assists inquisitive visitors in finding her.





The Old Candler Hospital looks horrible during the day, but at night, it has a "Great Expectations" decayed glamour. There's something appealing to me about historic buildings just before they have been restored; once the restoration occurs, they seem to lose the old ghosts and tangible history. I'm all for restoration and preservation, but too often buildings become so "clean" and spic and span that they no longer retain their original character. Just sayin'...





The Mansion on Forsyth was the setting for drinks and appetizers; my good friend Mary (a local concierge) joined us for the evening.



The Mansion is HUGE!! Set inside a historic gothic architectural wonder, it has been given a glitzy Las Vegas-style makeover.



The bar is called 700 Drayton, named after its street address, which should make it easier for visitors to find!





Lots of "art" crammed inside (quotes intentional):



Plenty of comfortable seating:





and very tasty appetizers.





Still, it strayed a little too far from the style of historic Savannah to make it a regular stop on my annual trip. Dinner (as if appetizers would have been enough!) was at Local 11 Ten Restaurant on (you guessed it) 1110 Bull Street.



Hip and trendy, it was also very dark and quiet. Emphasizing local, fresh, and "intelligent" cuisine, something seemed a bit depressing about this place. The servers seemed devoid of personality, and it almost felt like conversation should be kept to a whisper.



I very much enjoyed my meal, but can't say I'd rush back. Although called "Local," very little of it evoked Savannah's historic charm.



Oh yes...there will be more; tomorrow is the big finish!

See more Savannah photos on my Savannah web pages.